As the 2017-18 school year comes to a close, I want to ask you a question. Are you living the life you want to live, or are you just merely getting by? As for myself, honestly by the end of this semester I felt drained. I was happy with the long hours that I had poured into my school work and the great memories that I had made with my friends, but sometimes I felt like I was not present in every moment. I was so used to sitting inside of the rigid cage of my comfort zone that daily life had become another boring routine. However, after an hour or so of my nightly scroll through Youtube, I stumbled across Yes Theory.
From Left to Right: Ammar, Thomas, Derin, Matt
Yes Theory is a group of inspirational young men (Derin, Ammar, Matt and Thomas) who make videos encouraging people around the world to seek discomfort. Their unique friendship began in Canada, after Matt and Thomas had met at McGill University four months before graduating. Later on, Thomas ended up sharing a couch with Derin and Ammar in their friend Adrea’s apartment and the rest is history. One of their first ideas for Youtube was called Project 30, in which they would accomplish 30 goals in 30 days! Which is more than most accomplish in their lifetime. Today they continue to find new adventures, challenge social norms, take risks and, most importantly, spread positivity.
I know this may sound strange to most of you, and from an introvert's perspective this is actually insane. After watching one of their videos entitled “Asking Strangers To Go Skydiving On The Spot,” I immediately remembered the fact that I can’t even handle asking for an extra fork at a restaurant without sweating profusely.
However, I also remembered that my best memories come from the times where I was spontaneous, when I was truly out of my comfort zone. One memory that really stands out to me is when my best friend Savannah and I decided to take a day trip to Washington, D.C. We got on a bus at 3 a.m., which would return at the same time the next day. Who needs sleep right? We became complete tourists for the day and had a blast! In the moment, the timing was terrible because after we had arrived home we basically wanted to rip each other apart because we were so tired, but I would never trade the memories that we made for the world.
So if you are feeling uninspired or just tired of routine, I am not asking you to hop on a bus to Washington, D.C. I am asking you to seek discomfort, talk to the person that you have a crush on, talk to the person sitting next to you in class, whatever makes you uncomfortable, do it (as long as it is safe) because I promise that the people that you will positively impact and the memories that you make will all be worth it.
